Valentine’s Day craftiness

Y’all! I know Christmas just ended AND Valentine’s Day is still 7 weeks away BUT while wandering the Christmas clearance aisles at Hobby Lobby I found one of those woven baskets that EVERYONE doing farmhouse decor uses!! I am guilty too because I mean Joanna knows best right!!! I didn’t take a Picture of it before I embellished it so you’ll just have to trust me!!

I also need to apologize for neglecting the blog BUT life gets in the way of crafty goodness at times and more so over the past year! We have been in the super fast life track since our daughter got married in December 2015! The home business really took the biggest hit and then we just had to stop doing it for all of 2018! My plan is to relaunch in 2019 with a new business model but I am not holding myself wholly to that. If I don’t reopen IT’S totally OK!!

In the meantime...I have FINALLY started crafting and creating again! We have a new house and nearing the 2 year mark already!! Crazy how time just whizzes by!! I built a Shiplap entry shelf and started working on shelf decor. I have lots of plans for this space and holiday decorating but for now it’s just a little boring and just ok.

See the little basket on top! Isn’t it simple Valentine crafty cuteness!! So the weave basket was in Christmas clearance for 80% off... $5 folks...yeah $5!! It already had the black chalkboard rectangle in the center so it was my inspiration for the rest of the cuteness.

I wandered around hobby lobby for A LONG TIME and finally found embellishments to create a simple look that’s totally interchangeable with each decorating season!

Here is what I bought:
4.5 x 9.5 rectangle wood piece $1.99
wood love beads ($3.99 but 50% so only $1.99)
wood XOXO wood embellishment ($1.49)
Tuscan Red, Baby Pink, and Dragon Fruit Americana paint ($.83 each)
I already had white chalk paint from other projects
Normally I have craft paints on hand but when we sold our other house I literally packed up paints and just gave them all away!! I have been so busy with life and I NEVER replenished my supplies!! Anyway...total cost for this project including my $5 score is only $10.47!! I don't include the paint because I can use these for many many projects!!

I started off by disassembling the beads. It was really easy to take them apart since the jute was literally just a simple knot on the heart end. Then I decided on a paint pattern and got to work. I used skewers to hold the beads for easier painting. Acrylic paint dries really fast so if you don't have a whole lot of patience like me then lucky you that you won't have to wait too long to re-assemble.

Next I just put them all back together. When I put the XOXO piece on the wood rectangle, it looked unfinished so I made a quick stencil and created the border. I think it made a huge difference! I love the color pop on the wood beads for the love tassel..totally changed them up and added some valentine character for sure!!

The last step was to put it all together. My plan is to change out the rectangle center sign with each seasonal décor change SO I attached it with Velcro Tape!! GENIUS RIGHT!! The tassel is hung on a clear push pin so it is not noticeable at all!

And there you have it! Another DIY Done Dirt Cheap that is cute and multifunctional!! What have you made for Valentine's day? I have a few more things that I will be working on over the next few days! Happy Crafting!

Fabulous String Art

 

I must admit that I have become a Pinterest addict. I mean who hasn't? There are so many ideas pinned that I could literally spend weeks or even months trying to do everything I pin.

 

Ok, realistically--everything I pin could never be made in a single year lol. I am a bonafide pinaholic. Is there a 12-step program available for us yet---I am sure someone will pin it when there is hehehe.

 

Nail string art is not a new technique--I remember doing it in grade school, but as often as it has been pinned lately you would think that it was the newest technique discovered. I went to the mall the other day and saw an Owl String Art for $40!! I about fainted. Then I looked on Etsy and Ebay and was shocked to find prices just as crazy.

 

It is so EASY to make your own and I will show you how!

 

 Here is what you need:

1)- Printed image of what you want to do

2) a hammer

3) nails (i used 5/8" flat head wire nails)

4) floss or embroidery string

5) board for your canvas

and that is it

 

Paint your board any color you want. I am using MDF for my canvas and it is a scrap 10x10 piece I had laying around. You can use pine or whatever you have. My plan for this board is to make it school themed to show my Bobcat Pride!

You can tape your image to the board with painter's tape, but I didnt. I centered where I wanted it and put the first nail in place and it didnt move.

 

Hammer your nails evenly spaced around your image. I highly recommend that you take the time to mark dots around your image where you want the nails to go. I did not do this and later when I was putting on the string, I wish i had.

 

Here is what it will look like when all of your nails are in. You do not need to hammer them way down but you definitely want to make sure they are snug. I did go once around the entire batch of nails and made sure they were even heights.

 

I used over 100 nails in this design!

 Peel away the paper. Just rip it off and then you will be left with your board and whole bunch of nails.

Board with nails. Enough said. Looks pretty plain!

 Now you are ready to start stringing. I wanted to do a 2-color art board. I started with Maroon since it would be my dominant color. I started in the top left corner of the panhandle of Texas.

 

Tie your floss or embroidery string on one nail. Don't worry about the tail, you will cut it off later. Pick 2-3 nails on the heart and begin wrapping the string nail to nail until you have filled in the amount you want.

 

Tie off the end. and begin the next color. Tying the ends is not easy. I struggled with this for a bit and finally got it. You only end up with one end that you have to basically tie to itself around a nail. Give yourself a long tail, make a loop and feed it through the loop around the nail. pull it snug and keep moving your loop closer to the base of the nail until it tightens. I tried to get a picture of this but it just wasnt cooperating.

 Above is my failed attempt to show you the tail and loop tie technique but all ya got is scissors--sorry!

 

The panhandle was a bit tricky. Once I got to the far left corner nail, I literally just decided to weave the string along the right side nails until I got to the last nail of the panhandle. It was the easiest thing to do. When I first tried to pull the string to the heart from that right side, it was quite a mess. Weaving it was definitely much better!

 

 

Viola! here is my finished product:

I added the vinyl letters:

God Bless {Texas} & the Bobcats!

 

Let's Break it down:

Paint---Free

Board---Free

Nails---$1.44

Floss---5 for $1.00

Vinyl letters---Free

Total Cost--$2.44

SCORE!!

 

I know many of you may not have stuff lying around like I do but you could buy a ready to use board piece at hobby lobby or Michaels for around $3.00. Paint in small bottles for $.99 so add that to my total and you can still make your own for $6.43!!

 

 



Recapping 2012 and planning for 2013!

Wow! I cant believe we are already in 2013!!

 

How did this year get away from me so fast?!! I had so many goals for 2012 with this little blog but there just wasnt enough time in the year to make it all happen. I made a list of 9 goals and committments for 2012 and while I scored big on most, I also failed miserably on a few others.

 

I had planned on going through a whole list of recap but then this would make for a super wordy post so instead here is what I accomplished in 2012:

 

I paid more attention to family and put the phone down a lot more often! I had far less "what did you just say" moments because I actually detached from the phone to listen!

 

I learned new camera skills, took better care of my car, had more date nights with hubby--and they were fabulous---I kept my work area much neater, and accomplished a lot with my sign business As Unique As U!

 

I failed to lose 15lbs, didnt quite use that calendar the way I wanted to, and I did not make the one post a month I had committed to doing.

 

2012 was a great year and I just didnt have the time I would have liked to do everything I wanted. I created this blog because I love to make things and show others how they can make it too, but on a budget. It takes a lot of time to create a single post and the only way I can truly make it happen is to plan it into my day.

 

with that said, here is my 2013 plan:

 

1. Make time for me!!
I am always so busy doing for everyone else that I dont ever make time for me and what I love. Crafting is something I love! This year I am making the effort to be creative and make the things that I love to make and want to have in my house!!

2. Blog about it!
I am a bonafide pinaholic!! I pin, pin, pin away but rarely make anything that I pin. There is so much cuteness out there that I want and must have but I dont want to spend a fortune to get it. I will choose a list of my favorite pinterest finds and I will recreate them. I will document the process so I can share with you my trials and tribulations during the process. AND I have already started the year off right with Nail String Art. I made one and it is fabulous!

It will be my featured post next week with all of the how to's that go along with it. Also to come:

1. Mugs with sharpie art

2. Very cool love sign

3. Chalkboard menu board

4. small bench made with 2x4s

5. Valentine card box

and more!!!

3. Reduce my blood AIC down to 6.0. I learned I was diabetic several years ago. I was able to get my A1C under control really quickly but have since gotten lazy and it lapsed to a 7.1. I need it to be a 5 or better but this year my goal is simply to get it to a 6 and get back on the right track. I have several plans in motion to make this happen and I will chronicle my journey and share it on here in a future post about DIY exercise. I am old schooling it and I will give you the details on how after I see how I do lol.

 

4. keep growing that little business of mine.

 

I am keeping my list short and manageable because tomorrow I start a new job in corporate america managing a mulit-million dollar manufacturing facility in the high tech industry. It is an exciting opportunity for me and it will take a lot of my time. Balancing everything will be my biggest obstacle but I will do it!!!

 

I hope you have a very prosperous new year and I look forward to showing you my pinterest successes and hopefully no failures---but lets face it they do happen!!




Cabinet door Repurposed to Wall Art!!

Hubby and I attended the famous Wimberley Market Days in Wimberley, TX.

After hours of shopping and scanning the marketplace for cool to repurpose items, I found this beauty!

I knew I HAD to have it.

Hubby with his infinite wisdom says

"what on earth do we need a cabinet door for? It doesnt even fit on our cabinets or match the color."

Oh how I wish he could see my vision!!!

So, I created super fabulous DIY art for our wall!

And...with these easy instructions, now you can too in six simple steps!!

What you'll need

- Cabinet door any shape, color, or size

- Spray primer (preferred for those nooks and crannys)

- Base paint color

- Black acrylic paint

- Elmers glue

- Gloves

- Damp cloth

Step 1
Lightly sand the door and give it a nice coat of spray primer. We used Kilz but you can use any brand you like.

Step 2
Paint your base color. I used vintage white.
Perfect!

Step 3
Glaze the surface.

I went to home depot to buy some glaze and I was SHOCKED to find that a quart was $16!!!

There was no way I was paying that much for glaze.

It was experiment time and I found a solution that worked.

I mixed black acrylic paint with school glue and smeared it on. I wiped it off immediately!

Use a damp cloth to wipe the "glaze" off and rub gently. Some of the paint will wipe away exposing your primer underneath. It looks fabulous!!

I did not use gloves...big MISTAKE!!! So, make sure you do!!

This stuff was so messy lol!! It got in my hair, on my face, my hands were black, and I got it on my shirt too!!

Step 4
Choose your quote.
Now it helps to have a vinyl cutter on hand, but if you do not there are great resources on the web. I make my own. You can email me and I will be glad to supply you with your vinyl needs.

Step 5
Apply your decal.

My quote choice:

Live well, Laugh often, and Love much!

 here is a close up of the weathered look

This quote sums up our life so well!!!

Step 6

Spray sealer across the top surface, let dry, then enjoy the beauty!!

Let's break down the cost for this project:

Cabinet door.....$5.00

Primer....Free (left over from another project)

Paint.....Free (already had)

Glaze....Free (already had supplies)

Total Cost....$5.00

I love how it looks and I am so happy with my quote choice, but the best part was when hubby saw it and said

"wow is that the door we bought in Wimberley?"

um..yeah

      

Chalkboard Wine Bottles

Photo Credit: Ruthi Auda

Aren't these the most genius things you have ever seen for a wine themed kitchen or dinner party decor!!

First, let me apologize but life has once again become a little overwhelming. This month of march went by so quickly and I realized today that I have not done a single craft for a post on the blog like I committed to in my 2012 Goals and Commitments post.

So many things are going on over here and our little business  is doing so well that I just have not had time for much else. So today's post is not much of a tutorial but I promise I will have the how to photos for this soon.

I was surfing the net for some unique ways to add decor to my wine themed kitchen. I stumbled across a blog called Ruthi Adua and these awesome chalkboard wine bottles

These are super easy to make and I have lots of bottles to makeover. Here is my plan:

1. Spray primer on the glass to give it a nice surface for paint adhesion

2. paint the chalkboard paint on

3. create the coolness

4. put them in my kitchen!!

and the best part---I have all of the materials in stock so I dont have to pay a single penny for any supplies. Pictures to come for the reveal.

We Met, We Married Subway sign

I have been working on bedroom decor signs for our master bedroom. I don't have a tutorial for you today---but---I had to share how this turned out. It looks fabulous!!

Subway art is quite the decor rage these days and I have to admit I am super addicted to creating it. I sell lots of different types of subway art in my Etsy shop and I make it as gifts as often as I can.

If you have a Cricut or Sihlouette machine you could easily cut the words out and line them up on the board. I used several different fonts in mine and kept the words and phrases specific to hubby and me.

I also made one for the Places we have lived

People always ask me "how did you do that?"

I use Microsoft Publisher A LOT! In fact, all of my design work is in Publisher.

Then I create a jpg image from the Publisher file, convert the image to a cut file and cut vinyl out using my plotter cutter.

Adhering vinyl is actually quite simple with transfer tape. Simply peel the paper backing from the back of the vinyl decal. Align the decal on the board, then press firmly with a straight edge. Peel off the transfer tape and viola--->finished sign.

I am working on our bedroom decor over the coming weeks so I hope to post the finished decor soon!

Valentine Wreath

I am addicted to Pinterest!!

I just can't get enough of it. Valentine's day is right around the bend and of course my mantle needed a Love makeover, so, I was searching for some great ideas to add to my Valentine decor.

I found a fabulous wreath over at the Idea Room and I knew I had to make it.

It was really easy to make but a bit time consuming!! I finished it while watching 2 of my favorite one-hour length shows!! Here goes:

I bought a heart foam form at Hobby Lobby for $2.47. I even paid full price---gah--- because my phone would not load the coupon fast enough and it was my turn in line.

I already had red fleece from a few Christmas projects that never got done and I decided to try to cut the circles with my sizzix machine. I have never cut anything but paper on the sizzix but I knew I needed a lot of circles so I gave it a shot AND IT WORKED!!

You will need:

heart foam form

red fleece or felt

push pins

scissors or die cutter

Cut circles out---a lot of them---I stopped counting after 75 and each circle was 2" in diameter. I am pretty sure I used at least 100 circles so cut,cut, cut away.

Fold the circle in half, then fold it in half again. Stick the push pin through the bottom corner and insert it into the foam.

You can see above that I inserted the folded circle flat into the foam and the head of the pin is showing. Simply turn the circle inward so that the head of the pin is facing away from you and fan the circle--like this:

Continue inserting folded circles into the foam.

It quickly begins to take shape. the back of the heart will remain flat. It will look like this when you are finished:

and here is a closeup

Once I was done, I added the heart to my mantle:

I just love it. I had been complaining about having too much red on the bottom half of the mantle and not enough on the top. well the heart helped to balance the color and now I love my valentine decor.

Here are a few closeups of my goodies:

 I love this ribbon garland. I bought it at Michael's with a 40% off coupon and cut it in half so that I could string a portion of it onto each candle holder.

 I am a sucker for all things crafty. The love sign was handcrafted by a local crafter and he did a fabulous job and the cupid cutie below was also done by a local crafter. She does some crazy cool things with clay!!

I hope you decide to try your own wreath. It was easy to make and it looks sooooo good.

Let's break it down:

Foam form ---> $2.47

Push Pins ----> $1.27

Fleece -----> I had it from another project but I originaly bought it as a remnant for $2.25

Total---> $5.99!!!